Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin

Educated at Haywards Heath Grammar School, Warsash College of Nautical Studies, then later at University of Portsmouth (BA Hons in Public Sector Police Studies) and Cambridge University (Diploma in Applied Criminology).

Completing secondary education at 16, Tim left school and joined the Merchant Navy where he spent six years, achieving the rank of second mate, the navigating officer of the ship. He joined Sussex Police in 1981 where he performed a variety of operational roles. As a Chief Superintendent, he attended the Strategic Command Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill, in 1999.

He joined the Metropolitan Police Service in November 1999 as Commander (Crime) for South London, and then went on to be South East Territorial Commander and then Commander (Crime) for Territorial Policing. He was promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner - Territorial Policing in 2001, then to Assistant Commissioner - Territorial Policing a year later.

During his time in Territorial Policing he introduced a revitalised forensic strategy, instigated and led the Safer Streets initiative, which saw robbery reduce by 30 per cent over a three year period. Through Operation Sapphire he oversaw the introduction of a number of 'Havens' in London where victims of serious sexual assault can receive immediate medical and psychological support.

He leads for ACPO on Mobile Phone crime, which has included the development of the blocking of stolen mobile phones in partnership with industry. He jointly led with Denis O'Connor on the National Reassurance Policing Programme which included the roll out of neighbourhood policing in England and Wales and the Safer Neighbourhoods programme in London. He is currently responsible for Criminal Justice on behalf of ACPO and is Chair of the London Criminal Justice Board (LCJB). The LCJB under his leadership has reduced bureaucracy in relation to case files; introduced further integration with the Crown Prosecution Service; the introduction of virtual courts; and has recently implemented the offender management system.

He was appointed acting MPS Deputy Commissioner in December 2008 and became the permanent appointee in July 2009.

He received the Royal Humane Society Testimonial in 1991 for rescuing a man from a high bridge over a railway line, was awarded the runner up prize for Equal Opportunities Achievement in the Police Service by the Home Secretary in 1996, and in 1998 received the National Prize for Public Management Leadership by the Office for Public Management.
Tim was awarded the OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List in 2003 and the Queens Policing Medal (QPM) in the Queens New Year's Honours in 2009.

Tim is keen rugby fan, having played in younger years, and attends matches as and when time permits. He is married and has a teenage daughter.